The Bethany Baptist Church of Newark celebrates 25 years of monthly Jazz Vespers!

• By Mabel Pais

Join the community at Bethany Baptist for this free concert combining jazz music and worship. This takes place on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 6 PM at the Bethany Baptist Church at 275 W Market St, Newark, NJ 07103 (Phone –  973 623 8161).

January’s featured artists are the “musical power couple” (New York Times) Adegoke Steve Colson and Iqua Colson. Despite their international acclaim, the composer-pianist and vocalist-composer are deeply rooted in New Jersey, and have played an integral role in advancing jazz education across the state. This is a particularly meaningful return to the Bethany Baptist stage for Adegoke, who led the first Jazz Vespers ensemble at the inaugural concert 25 years ago. JazzTimes says the Colsons’ music “…draws you in with gaiety and swing and then hits you with more substance that you’d bargained for…Sharp ears, spot-on improvisational acumen and impeccable musical intelligence are the order of the day.”

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IS MASS INCARCERATION A PERVASIVE SOCIAL ISSUE?

• By Mabel Pais

While New Jersey has reduced its prison population by more than 50 percent since 2011, mass incarceration remains a pervasive social issue that disproportionately impacts people of color.

This month’s ‘Standing in Solidarity’ conversation, curated by the ACLU of New Jersey, discusses the need for a reimagined legal system. What are proven strategies for ensuring public safety? How can measures such as the elimination of extreme sentences and implementation of clemency create a more equitable criminal justice system?

The film to watch is ‘The Prison Within,’ an award-winning documentary about how a restorative justice program at the San Quentin State Prison, California transforms the lives of prisoners and survivors of violence.

REGISTRATION &  PARTICIPATION

It is free to participate. Registration is required to participate.

Register at njpac.org/event/reforming-our-prison-systems/#register.

Watch ‘The Prison Within’ for free at home (a link will be emailed in advance)

Join the team for a virtual panel discussion on Monday, Jan 13, at 7PM

PANELISTS & MODERATOR

MODERATOR

The panel will be moderated by Amol Sinha, Executive Director of the ACLU of New Jersey.

PANELISTS

LUIS ANGEL TORRES RODRIGUEZ, Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Societal Bridge, Inc., a recruitment service company that provides comprehensive employment opportunities for Returning Citizens.

JENNIFER SELLITTI, a Public Defender who began her legal career working on the Prison Brutality Project at Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services.

REBECCA UWAKWE, Director of the Clemency Project and Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU of New Jersey.

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EXPLORE TECHNIQUES OF PREPPING FOR A SELF-TAPED AUDITION

By Mabel Pais

Get noticed for all the right reasons! 

The ‘Creator’s Room’ exploration of audition techniques continues with the dos and don’ts of a self-taped audition. What do I wear? What’s the best background and recording device? Do I need a ring light?

The NJPAC Center for Arts Education’s panel of theater professionals will answer your most pressing questions and will explain the value of a self-tape versus an in-person audition. They will also demystify the process and share helpful tips. Attendees will be able to film self-tape examples on site and put these pro tips into action.

Moderator

JOSEF WOODSON

Josef Woodson is the Creative Lead for Onsite Programs at NJPAC, specializing in Musical Theater, Acting, and Hip Hop. He holds a degree in Dance from the University of Michigan and has trained in ballet, jazz, modern, and hip hop at prestigious institutions such as the Joffrey School, The Ailey School, and Steps on Broadway.

His performance career includes work with Ailey II, Donald Byrd/The Group, Tokyo Disney, Walt Disney World, Royal Caribbean, Sokolow Now! Contemporary Dance Company, and SKIN Dance Company. Josef has taught modern, jazz, tap, ballet, and hip hop in both the U.S. and internationally, with notable roles at AileyCamp and as an Alvin Ailey Performing Artist for the New York Board of Education.

Currently a senior Teaching Artist at Disney Theatrical Group on Broadway, Josef has also been the Artistic Director of NJPAC’s summer programs for two years. His passion for movement extends to group fitness and Zumba. He is the Managing Director of SKIN Dance Company and the Creative Director for the musical ‘Josephine’s Cotton.’

PANELISTS

MALCOLM MINOR

A Newark, NJ, native, Minor is an actor, singer, poet and public speaking coach who has performed on stages from NJPAC and Madison Square Garden to 54 Below and Radio City Music Hall. He holds a bachelor’s in theater from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a master’s in acting from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. He has been featured at the National Black Theater Festival, JagFest 4.0 and the Williamstown Theater Festival. His voice is audible on Amazon Prime and other award-winning short films and web series. Currently, Minor is a finalist in the renowned Actors Studio.

KRISTEN PALADINO

Kristen Paladino is an industry-celebrated Casting Director and founder of Paladino Casting. With over 20 years in business, Paladino is renowned for a notable portfolio of projects that encompass the most compelling storytellers and exceptional actors from New York City, Los Angeles and beyond. Sought after for her expertise, she elevates projects by discovering and developing exceptional and diverse talent. Her films have been screened at the world’s top festivals including Sundance, AFI, Tribeca, Cannes, SXSW, Venice Biennial, LA Film Fest, NYFF, Slamdance, Palais De Tokyo and many more. TV series include Team Umizoomi for Nickelodeon, El Deafo for Apple TV, as well as shows for Disney+ and commercial campaigns for brands such as Haribo, Apple, Maybelline, Jeep, Nike, Huggies, Valentino, Adidas, PepsiCo, LEGO and Sony, to name a few. Paladino and her gifted team at Paladino Casting are at the forefront of the casting and entertainment world.

INGRID JENSEN

Ingrid Jensen has been hailed as one of the most gifted trumpeters of her generation. Following a 1989 graduation from the Berklee College of Music, Jensen recorded three highly acclaimed CDs for the ENJA record label. She has performed with a multigenerational cast of jazz legends ranging from Herbie Hancock to Clark Terry and Esperanza Spalding. Jensen also performed alongside British R&B artist Corrine Bailey Rae on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and recorded with Canadian pop icon Sarah McLachlan. Jensen is prominently featured on the GRAMMY® Award-winning ‘The Mosaic Project,’ led by drummer Terri-Lyne Carrington. A dedicated jazz educator, Jensen has resided on the jazz trumpet faculties at the University of Michigan, Peabody Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, Purchase College and the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music at The New School in New York City. She is currently the Dean and Director of Jazz Arts at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

Learn more at NJPAC.org

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality,  Business, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Education)